The Head of State disclosed this on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, during a campaign event in Nyarugenge District.

Kagame stated that nothing makes him prouder than leading the members of the RPF Inkotanyi and Rwandans in general, who are willing and capable.

In his speech to the over 300,000 people who attended the RPF Inkotanyi campaign, Kagame highlighted that Rwanda has endured a difficult history but emerged with courage.

He said, “Our country has a dark history, it has gone through many tragic events that took away our loved ones. People have their time and go, but being taken away by someone else, having your life ended by someone else, is not right. That is why it doesn’t surprise me that Rwanda, having gone through those hardships, has produced people like you, people like us. This should always be the case, it should always define Rwanda.”

He continued by saying that for Rwanda to continue being defined by this bravery, certain measures are necessary.

He said, “For this to persist, Rwandans need to choose well, understand well, and perform well. We were fortunate to have the RPF during the historical changes.”

Kagame said that if Rwandans continue to embody this courageous behaviour, they will achieve much, silencing those who criticize Rwanda.

Using an example from his own experience, President Kagame pointed out that there are those who criticize Rwanda without understanding its history, as someone once asked him if he was a Tutu (meaning Hutu) or a Hutsi (meaning Tutsi).

He said, “But you know that most of those who talk about us don’t even know us. Someone once asked me, in these daily inquiries they make, and they also show disrespect, asking me ‘Who are you? Are you Tutu (Hutu) or Hutsi (Tutsi)?’ Not knowing what they were talking about, I told him, ‘In Rwanda, I am all of those things and more.’”

“When he wanted to ask if I was a Hutu or a Tutsi, saying Tutu or Hutsi, I told him, ‘I am both, but also more,’ I said, ‘but all these are encompassed in being a Rwandan; I am a Rwandan.’”

President Kagame urged Rwandans to respect these foreigners, but only if they are also respected.

He said, “Live with them, give them value, respect them but only if they give you value and respect you as well.”

Kagame stated that nothing makes him prouder than leading the members of the FPR Inkotanyi and Rwandans in general, who are willing and capable.